Granada Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo provided by R P Washburne / Nicaraguan Tourism Board
Photo provided by errezeta / Nicaraguan Tourism Board
Photo provided by errezeta / Nicaraguan Tourism Board
Photo provided by Nicaraguan Tourism Board
Photo provided by R P Washburne / Nicaraguan Tourism Board

One of the oldest settlements in Nicaragua is known for its colonial architecture, churches and natural surroundings. 

In Granada’s town centre, stroll along cobblestone streets lined with pastel-colored buildings and visit some of Nicaragua’s most beautiful churches, including the landmark Granada Cathedral. 

Granada was founded by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba in 1524 and lays claim to being the first European city on mainland America. Three hundred years later, much of the urban area was destroyed by fire on the orders of the William Walker. Reconstruction efforts have restored many structures to close approximations of their appearance during Spanish rule.

A good place to start your visit is at Iglesia San Francisco, one of the oldest churches in Central America. Admire the light blue exterior with its thin white columns and wooden doors. Adjoining the church is a museum where you can see pre-Columbian statues from the island of Zapatera, which is located in Lake Nicaragua. 

Go to the Baroque-style Iglesia de la Merced for a trip to the top of the bell tower. From here you can enjoy commanding views across the city. Downstairs, visit the chapel dedicated to the Virgen de Fatima. A short walk to the west of the city will take you to the Municipal Cemetery where you can see the ornate tombs of six Nicaraguan Presidents and the Chapel of Spirits, a scale model of a renowned French church of the same name.

Just outside of the city you will find the Nicaragua Butterfly Reserve. See more than 20 species of butterfly inside the large flight house then walk along scenic trails through the forest. Look for monkeys, parakeets and motmots, the national bird of Nicaragua. 

Granada is a small city and the sites can all be easily reached on foot. Buses are regular and reliable, though you may want to try one of the horse-drawn carriage rides. Granada is approximately 29 miles (47 kilometres) from Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, and within easy reach of the islands of Lake Nicaragua.

Hotel Real La Merced

Hotel Real La Merced

3.5 out of 5
Calle Real Xalteva, Frente a Iglesia la Merced, Granada
The price is ฿2,030 per night from 29 Jul to 30 Jul
฿2,030
฿2,335 total
29 Jul - 30 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star historic inn in Granada. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (318 reviews)
"I would have to categorize this Hotel as one of the best in the area. All of the staff were incredibly inviting and helpful the entire time from arranging Taxis to get me to do day trips to shuttles on elsewhere I needed to go and best of all there is a pool to help cool off considering how incredibly ..."

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

Hotel Real La Merced
voco Lake Nicaragua Granada by IHG

voco Lake Nicaragua Granada by IHG

3 out of 5
Parque Central 25 varas al Oeste, Calle Libertad, Granada
The price is ฿3,378 per night from 24 Jul to 25 Jul
฿3,378
฿3,884 total
24 Jul - 25 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Granada. Enjoy 2 outdoor pools, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (210 reviews)
"Booked three rooms. Other rooms were great but room 20 had a horrible sewer pipe smell in the bathroom. The room had no windows for ventilation and I literally felt like I was showering with this smell that was so intense. I advised the front desk about this problem at check out in the early morning ..."

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

voco Lake Nicaragua Granada by IHG
Hotel Plaza Colon

Hotel Plaza Colon

3 out of 5
In front of Parque Central, Granada
The price is ฿4,319 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
฿4,319
฿4,966 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star boutique hotel in Granada. Enjoy free parking, room service and on-site spa services. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (540 reviews)
"Everything went great and all the staff was wonderful. I love how the parking has its own parking attendant to keep the cars safe. Tip them well!"

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2025

Hotel Plaza Colon
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Los Altos Apartments & Studios

Los Altos Apartments & Studios

4 out of 5
Club Terraza 600 metros al sur, Managua, MN
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Managua. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Galerias Santo Domingo Shopping Center and Los Robles ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (11 reviews)
Nice place
"The place was nice and also the staff. Hotels.com needs to update the map location"

Reviewed on 17 Mar 2025

Los Altos Apartments & Studios
Verona Aparthotel

Verona Aparthotel

3 out of 5
Reparto San Juan, Sur de la UCA, 2C al Este, Calle La Esperanza, Managua
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Managua. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Metrocentro and Managua Metropolitan ...
9/10 Wonderful! (37 reviews)
Good room with a kitchen
"This place was clean and convenient and safe, it was good to have a kitchen."

Reviewed on 27 Apr 2025

Verona Aparthotel
Mukul Resort

Mukul Resort

4 out of 5
Tola, Nicaragua, Tola, Rivas
Stay at this 4-star beach aparthotel in Tola. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free valet parking.
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"Recommend over and over"

Reviewed on 14 Feb 2025

Mukul Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Granada

3.5
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
1
5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
0
4 - Good 0%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 50%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Experience Nicaragua. It’s great

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller

plastic every where in the country, poverty is seen in the whole country. male supremacy is obvious. everywhere in the roads and cities there are Iron bars around houses and doors like prisons, a sign of criminal activities. not willing to go back to

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